A (ring) flash for macro work

[Dan Fleming]

Hey everyone! I am looking at getting a ring flash, or other flash for primarily macro work. A ring flash would be attractive because it could be used for portraiture type work also. I unfortunately don't have the money to lay out for Canon's nice ring flash, much less their dual-flash system. I found that Pheonix, Opteka, and Bower have ring flashes for under $100. I understand that I will probably get what I am paying for, but such is the joy of budget constraints. Has anyone used any of those off-brand ring flashes? If you have what have your impressions been?





Thanks


Dan

[neuroanatomist]

Hi Dan,


I don't own one, but I've used both the Canon MR14 EX and one of the aftermarket brands, so I'll offer a couple of observations. First off, what sort of macro photography do you do - in particular, are you going for a creative look, or a documentary look? Besides being not well-built, the off-brand flashes are really only good for documentary-type shooting - they are one single tube (or multiple bulbs behind a diffuser), so the light provided is very, very flat. With the Canon ring flash, you have two tubes with independent controls so you can achieve shadows which give depth. The Canon twin light adds even more creative flexibility along those lines. So, if you're shooting macro shots of non-reflective products for a catalog, the after-market ring flashes may be ok, but if you're after a creative look for your macro shots, you will probably not be too happy with the results.


The other comment is in regards to your statement, "A ring flash would be attractive because it could be used for portraiture type work also." This is not really true with a macro ring flash - the guide number is low, and the diameter is relatively small. The 'ring flash' portrait lighting you're thinking of is not done with marco flashes, it's done with 'professional' ring lights (like the AlienBees ABR800), or the cheaper add-on versions like the Orbis or RayFlash, which are accessories that fit on the 580EX (and need all of that power to work).


Hope that helps...


John

[Dan Fleming]

This is not really true with a macro ring flash - the guide number is low, and the diameter is relatively small

Ah! Thank you for clearing that up. I hadn't even thought of ring light power or size! Makes complete sense.

Besides being not well-built, the off-brand flashes are really only good for documentary-type shooting - they are one single tube (or multiple bulbs behind a diffuser), so the light provided is very, very flat. With the Canon ring flash, you have two tubes with independent controls so you can achieve shadows which give depth.

Well now, that is a bummer. I do like being creative and achieving shadows. Looks like I'm gonna have to save up....well that's not the hard part. Do you happen to know if Sigma's flash, which is pretty pricey is dual-tubes or a single one?


Thanks for taking the time on this!


dan

[neuroanatomist]

Do you happen to know if Sigma's flash, which is pretty pricey is dual-tubes or a single one?

From the Sigma EM-140 page: "Dual flash tubes can be switched on or off for creative flash control."

[cogaivotchong]

anyone used any of those off-brand ring flashes? I want to find a ring flash



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